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Will Penisini’s try helped the Eels seal fourth place on Thursday night to set up a finals clash against Penrith next week.Credit:Getty

Asofa-Solomona’s disciplinary record has come under fire this week after he was hit with his fifth charge of the season following an elbow on rising Rooster Joseph Suaalii last week. The Storm front-rower is yet to be suspended,leading Bellamy to encourage Asofa-Solomona to continue to play his menacing brand of football in the hope he would not come under extra scrutiny from referees.

“There’s a lot of other instances that are as bad as Nelson’s,but we decided to pick on Nelson this week so he was the punching bag,” Bellamy said.

“If they want to change the rules[after the NRL stipulated repeat offenders risk having charges upgraded from grade one to two ahead of the finals] because of that,at the end of the day,that’s their decision,it’s not my decision. If they want to change the rules,change the rules. It’s not my concern because I can’t control that.

“Just with that incident tonight,I think it was a bit late so that’s fair but I don’t think too many guys get on report for being that late. He was nowhere near the head. His arms were around his waist.”

Moses bounced back to flatten Kenny Bromwich - who failed his ensuing head injury assessment - in the second half before a perfect Clint Gutherson cutout pass sent Maika Sivo on a 40-metre path to the line. The Eels were in control for 76 minutes before Melbourne added two late tries.

Only once since 2011 have Melbourne finished outside the top four,having run sixth in 2014. Every year a forecast says the dynasty will end,but there’s always a Storm in September.

Because while every member of the big three would eventually walk away - Cooper Cronk to Sydney’s east,and Cameron Smith and Billy Slater to retirement - there was always another star waiting for a chance to shine.

The brightest among them is Cameron Munster,the five-eighth spending time at fullback to reignite Melbourne’s attack. Just as crucial to the Storm’s premiership ambitions is halfback Jahrome Hughes,who was a late withdrawal for Thursday’s game due to calf tightness,and Bellamy will need them both firing on all cylinders if they are to be a force in the finals.

Clint Gutherson and the Eels are finals-bound.Credit:Getty

The Eels have suffered semi-final exits three years running. Two wins over both Penrith and Melbourne this year suggests the Eels will fancy their chances in the finals,but fans will hardly breathe easy giventhe rollercoaster their side has ridden in 2022.

“The serious part of it starts now. It’s a new ball game next week. Penrith are going to be nice,fresh and rested at home,but it’s something we’re looking forward to,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.

“We’re playing well at the right time of the year. We sort of limped in last year. We’ve got a massive opportunity come next week. We’ve put ourselves in a good position,it’s up to us now and whether we’re willing to go and grab the opportunity.”

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